CAROLYN MICHAELS – Office & Events Coordinator
Carolyn Michaels is a full-spectrum art lover who has spent her life creating things and supporting others who do, too. While attending the University of Colorado Boulder for her Editorial Journalism degree, she spent the majority of her free time volunteering and DJing at the campus station Radio 1190. Even decades later, this formative time left a permanent mark that broadened her musical taste, instilled a greater respect for artistry, and connected her to the communities that tirelessly share the magic of live performance. Carolyn’s career has focused on marketing communications and creative services for boutique ad agencies, tech startups, and in-house at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. She currently sits on the board of the Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild as the Vice President of Programs and Workshops, sharing fresh perspectives and celebrated artists with fellow makers. Her artistic practice focuses on needle felted wool sculpture, but she also dabbles in graphic design, collage, and hand drawn illustration. Her other interests include film, stand-up comedy, and playing tennis (albeit poorly).
Prior to taking the reins as Artistic & Executive Director in 2019, Monica was an active member of the Kerrytown Concert House community for over 20 years as a performer, producer, studio teacher, and volunteer. Most recently, she has served as the newest creator and director of KCH’s popular cabaret concert series, Wine, Women, and Song! As a regional artist, Monica’s versatile singing and engaging performances have spanned a broad scope of genres from opera roles at the Lincoln Center Institute in New York City, to orchestral solo appearances with symphonies in Adrian, Toledo, Ann Arbor, and Graz, Austria, to jazz gigs at the Detroit Institute of Arts, and to cabaret clubs like Davenport’s in Chicago. Also a seasoned voice teacher, she held a long-term appointment on the voice faculty of Eastern Michigan University, and maintained a private voice studio in the Ann Arbor area for over two decades. Additionally, she is the Founder and Director of Front and Center Cabaret Works, LLC, a performing arts organization whose mission is to develop communication skills and self-confidence in young performers through the act of cabaret performance. A Michigan native, Monica lives in Ann Arbor with her husband, John, and daughter, Delaney, and holds a Master’s Degree with Highest Honors in voice performance from The University of Michigan where she continues to build artistic connections with students and faculty. Monica believes passionately that Kerrytown Concert House brings live performance to music lovers in an up close and personal way that is like no other in Ann Arbor! She enjoys building upon the concert house’s rich artistic history while also helping it expand and grow in meaningful, impactful and delightful ways.
